When we first started homeschooling the boys, one of my biggest concerns was physical activity. They’re active enough kids that even without sports or other outside activities, they’d still be getting their daily circulation boost just by running up and down stairs, chasing each other, jumping on beds, etc., etc.

Those first few years, dh put them in Tang Soo Do and that kept them occupied for a while. For several years they worked 3-4 times a week, memorizing forms, sparring, learning some Korean terminology, burning off steam, getting confident, etc. as they moved up the belt hierarchy. Even after we moved back to Cincinnati we still drove to Pennsylvania, back to their old school, until everyone could earn their black belts. So yeah, there’s 4 in the family. I got left behind as I stopped at yellow — karate’s just not my thing, and 7-yo was too little at the time to get started.

And then we moved here. No Tang Soo places nearby in the same organization, so dh and I were looking for SOMETHING for the boys to get involved in that would be good for them, and perhaps would fill in some gaps that were missing in our homeschooling. Enter scouting.

They started out in ’06 as cub scouts, and my thinking at the time was that it was mostly fun stuff, some patriotic lessons, etc. but mostly just FUN. Which is probably how most cub scout programs are. They participated in Pinewood Derbies and popcorn sales. Those were the biggies if I remember correctly. Oh yeah, they also did some Thanksgiving baskets for the needy, which was really nice.

Our oldest son soon moved up to Boy Scouts and that’s when I started to see and really appreciate what Boy Scouting is all about. DH was a Boy Scout when he was younger so he was already sold. I had to be convinced that this was going to be a positive influence on our boys long-term. I’m all about long-term. Honestly I was also concerned that the kind of negative influence (in terms of icky peer pressure) we had been trying to avoid through homeschooling would be a natural part of the — in my eyes — secular world of Scouting. Boy, was I wrong.

Every single family in our Boy Scout troop is Christian. That shouldn’t surprise anyone who already knows that Scouting’s roots were Eagle projects and contributing their skills and talents to local parks, churches, etc.

Of course, the fact that dh took over as Scoutmaster after his predecessor resigned helps a lot. I have great faith in his capabilities as leader. He’s just made for this. Our children are just truly blest that they have a father that’s THIS involved. I used to resent the fact that they were spending so much time outside the home, but with prayers and discernment and, yes, seeing the fruits in our boys, I have been slowly convinced that Scouting is indeed a blessing. Every Boy Scout I’ve met in our son’s troop is respectful, confident, faith-filled and just — overall — kids their parents can be proud of. Scouting, for our family, is a huge investment in terms of time, money, energy, but so far, it has been truly worth it. I’d even go so far as to say that it’s one of the best organizations that work really well with homeschooling. One last plus: I hear that Scouting is a wonderful addition to one’s resume, and that the people that approve scholarships and jobs give high points to Scouts. Looks like we’ll be doing this for a long time still.

Today I made a new discovery — the Scouting website and, tadaaa!!! The Scout Shop!! Online! Perfect for Christmas shopping for all my scouts — adult and children alike.

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I said “one last plus” but I just thought of another: Boy Scouts can also work towards Parvuli Dei and Ad Altare Dei emblems. This Catholic mom is mighty pleased by that.